Octorara townlively.com
JANUARY 3, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXIII • NO 44
Making a resolution to volunteer BY FRANCINE FULTON
Unlike a typical resolution that can quickly be forgotten, a commitment to volunteer in the new year is a decision that can make a lasting impact in the community. Many local nonprofit organizations are in need of volunteers who are
willing to help them continue their important work. Among the agencies in need of volunteers is Compeer Chester County, which pairs people living with mental health conditions with volunteer friends from the community. A Compeer volunteer is asked to make a commitment to meet with his or her friend for See Volunteer pg 2
Sawyer Johnson (far left) and fellow Scouts work on constructing a bench.
Boy Scout completes Eagle project
BY FRANCINE FULTON
Sharing good news with the community BY FRANCINE FULTON
One of two benches installed at the Moores Memorial Library
Because people can borrow a library book or purchase one from the Read Moore Bookstore, Sawyer added, the benches are also an ideal spot for reading.
In addition to the benches, the project included the installation of fencing in the library parking lot. The fence was placed near the entrance of the library to make
There was no shortage of good news that was shared in the Community Courier in 2023. Readers were introduced to charitable people in the community, and they learned about special events and activities by nonprofit organizations. In 2023, readers met Chester County resident Natanya Sortland who, despite her fear of heights and visual impairment, annually takes part in Eye Drop, a fundraiser for VisionCorps where
participants rappel 10 stories down from the roof of the Holiday Inn in downtown Lancaster to raise funds for the organization. A team of Chester County residents joined Sortland for Eye Drop 2023 during which S o r t l a n d d re s s e d a s L a d y L i b e r t y to s y m b o l i z e h o w VisionCorps has given her the freedom to live a normal life despite being visually impaired Another local woman who was spotlighted in 2023 was 2nd Lt. McKayla Mickel, who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy See Good news pg 5
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See Boy Scout pg 6
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hristiana residents and library patrons now have a place to rest and read thanks to the efforts of Sawyer Johnson, who built and installed two benches at the Moores Memorial Library in Christiana as part of his Eagle Scout service project. Sawyer, a member of Atglen Boy Scout Troop 20, completed the construction work on a weekend last October, along with the help of family members, friends and fellow troop members. “The library told me that a week or two after the benches were installed, they were used on (Halloween),” Sawyer shared. “Parents were able to sit down and watch their kids trick-or-treat, so the benches are already being used.”
Jennifer Cordivari (left) and Amanda McGuigan are matched Compeer friends.